1. a glycopeptide hormone that is produced by cells of the fetal placenta and maintains the function of the corpus luteum during the first few weeks of pregnancy. It is thought to promote steroidogenesis in the fetoplacental unit and to stimulate fetal testicular secretion of testosterone. It can be detected by immunoassay in the maternal urine within days after fertilization; this provides the basis for the most commonly used pregnancy test.

cho·ri·on·ic go·nad·o·tro·pin (CG),

a glycoprotein with a carbohydrate fraction composed of d-galactose and hexosamine, extracted from the urine of pregnant women and produced by the placental trophoblastic cells; its most important role appears to be stimulation, during the first trimester, of ovarian secretion of the estrogen and progesterone required for the integrity of conceptus; it appears to play no significant role in the last two trimesters of pregnancy, as the estrogen and progesterone are then formed by the placenta. CG has luteinizing hormone activity and exerts its actions through luteinizing hormone receptors.

human chorionic gonadotropin

human chorionic gonadotropin

human chorionic gonadotropin

cho·ri·on·ic go·nad·o·tro·pin

(kōr'ē-on'ik gō-nad'ō-trō'pin)

A glycoprotein with a carbohydrate fraction composed of d-galactose and hexosamine, produced by the placental trophoblastic cells; its most important role appears to be stimulation (during the first trimester) of ovarian secretion of the estrogen and progesterone required for the integrity of the conceptus; it appears to play no significant role in the last two trimesters of pregnancy, because the estrogen and progesterone are then formed by the placenta. Testing for the beta fraction of human chorionic gonadotropin is the basis for most serum and urine pregnancy tests. Synonym(s): anterior pituitarylike hormone, chorionic gonadotropic hormone, chorionic gonadotrophic hormone.

human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)

a gonadotrophic hormone secreted by the chorion of the PLACENTA (1) that has a similar effect to luteinizing hormone (see LH).

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Patient discussion about human chorionic gonadotropin

Q. Does a slow rise in HCG hormone during pregnancy a condition to worry? My wife is in second trimester of pregnancy and had a HCG test, which shows fewer levels as compared to previous results. Does a slow rise in HCG hormone during pregnancy a condition to worry?

A. When you have a hCG test in the start of pregnancy, the level of hCG in your blood must increase to double in 2-3 days. While the hCG doubling time will slow down from the mid of the first trimester and hCG level also begin to slowly reduce from 4th month onwards. Thus at this stage there is nothing to worry about, it is normal.

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